December 1 – Carlisle – O’Connell – 63
A deep handicap chase won in game style by a horse who has threatened to land a big pot since sent over fences. Finding 2m4f in insufficient test on his seasonal bow, Sue Smith’s inmate was much more suited to the step back up in trip and off a strong gallop throughout, he came from some way off the pace to gain the day in a driving finish. Both he and the runner-up, Fortunate Man, ended up posting a faster final circuit than the potentially top class novice, Caldwell Potter, and with the third and fourth giving the form a strong feel to the race, there should be plenty of winners to be had going forward.
December 1 – Fairyhouse – La Malmason – 70
Kilashee and Sainte Dona ensured this mares’ handicap chase was run at a sound gallop and the winner came through strongly in the closing stages to score with plenty of panache. The way she jumped and travelled throughout highlighted her main qualities and she can continue to do really well in similar events in future.
December 4 – Haydock – Royal Infantry – 67
As is often the case at the Merseyside venue, the place to be is out in front and alive to that theory, Harry Skelton made the most of his mount’s superior flat speed to outpace his main market rival, Crest Of Fortune. Setting decent fractions from the outset, the son of Soldier Of Fortune soon established a clear advantage and once kicking for home at the top of the straight, he always looked likely to keep his nearest pursuers at bay. Whether he turns out to be quite as good as stable mate, The New Lion, remains to be seen, but he should be ready to tackle something more substantial next time out. As for the runner-up, he shaped like he needs further than two miles and a more galloping track, or both, and he can be seen to better effect when placed accordingly.
December 5 – Market Rasen – Viyanni – 65
A race that didn’t look anything flash on paper beforehand but it produced a time figure that suggested the first two home are half decent. Picking up the running half way down the back straight, Harry Derham’s gelding kept up a sound pace all the way to the line and on this evidence he looks a useful recruit to the juvenile ranks, As for the second, Narrgansett, he should credited for coming from well off the pace to keep the winner honest in the latter stages and he too, can more than pay his way in similar events in due course.
December 6 – Sandown – Bill Joyce – 67
Although it probably wasn’t the strongest renewal on paper beforehand, the way he galloped on through the testing ground in the closing stages left a lasting impression and his time figure wasn’t too shabby either. Overall, he has a decent blend of speed and stamina, and he thoroughly deserves to take his chance in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury next month.
Long term, there’s a distinct possibility he might be good enough to enter the conversation for the Turner’s Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham, although at the same time, there must be some doubt whether he is better than his stable mate, Mister Meggit, who clocked a faster time figure when he scored on his debut at Aintree. Either way, it’s good to see Jonjo O’Neill with some smart ammunition to go to war in this department.
December 6 – Sandown – Handstands – 67
Probably beaten when falling three out on his chasing debut at Wincanton, Ben Pauling’s gelding was on something of a retrieval mission in this three mile contest and over a trip he was encountering for the first time under rules, he duly made up for his initial experience. Jumping soundly from the outset, he got into a lovely rhythm up front and when pressured by several of his main rivals from three out, he readily found the necessary requirements to turn them away. Despite posting a useful time figure, he still left the impression he has some way to get to the very top but this victory does open up plenty of options for him going forward and something like the Reyneldstown Chase at Ascot in February might end up being his number one target rather than anything at Cheltenham.
December 7 – Sandown – L’Eau Du Sud – 71
L’Eau Du Sud continued his way through the ranks in this Grade 1 and while it would be a brave man to suggest he was anything other than workmanlike in beating Irish raider Touch Me Not, at least it proved Dan Skelton’s inmate has another dimension to his game. The fact he showed battling qualities in testing conditions bodes well for stiffer tasks ahead and he remains a live contender for the Arkle in March, where the likely better ground at Cheltenham will suit.